They forgot , corrupt police, military and especially corrupt politicians that have an inbred philosophy for stealing from public coffers so none of the work that needs to be done ever gets done.

Although it is very good to produce a good image to the tourists , I prefer the good image to be made to the citizens , Most of the time I have very few complaints about life in Zona Colonial but I would hate to live in most areas of the capital for the reasons the tourist industry has listed ..So do not concentrate on just the tourists who see but a fraction of the country but on the Dominicans living here

When was this photo taken?
I was involved in the clean-up of this beach last year. Two weeks later it was back to its usual disgusting state, except for dozens of huge black plastic bags full of collected rubbish. The bags were still there many months later.
The Dominican Republic's capital has a wealth fabulous little beaches and coral cliffs - right on its doorstep that would be the envy of many coastal cities around the world - were it not for the fact they are buried in rubbish, the water polluted by untreated sewage, the cliffs covered in rags and the sound of the breaking waves drowned out by truck horns and distorted hip-hop played at 95 dB
Hard to imagine that tourism is the Dominican Republic's biggest earner of foreign exchange. However without repeat business, how long will it last?

Run forest, run !

Look at that picture of trash. This is what the rest of the world thinks about you Dominicans.

Does NOTHING embarrass you or is it someone else's fault?

F...en disgusting.

gmiller,
Where is your pal jimmyh?

xwill7,
Grow up

They say one man's trash is another man's gold. I just realized that far too many Dominicans think we are really rich.

What about the taxes and fees charged to everyone flying to the Dominican Republic??? Add that to your list.

What about the total disregard for traffic rules and laws ?. I love the country but they are a long way from "First World Status".

xwill7:
to Miller.... Where is your pal jimmyh?

Xwill... I think that I shamed or scared Harrington off this site last time.... Miller is just another idiot that should keep to himself and concentrate his Neo-Nazzi views on the FOX Network.

They should start a website.... The FU**ED network.

Curando, the taxes and fees are not a deterrent to tourism, and are not worse here than in many countries. Circibana, tourists need to be reminded this is not a first world country, but I don't thank that will keep the average tourist away.
The filth is a definite turn off and people need to feel safe, or they won't come/return. The corruption is infuriating to those of us that live here, but most tourists don't really care, unless they have a run-in with a crooked cop of course, or god forbid have an auto accident. Then they are gone forever.

Formal Prostitution and Informal Prostitution, and guys stealing blackberry cell phones from young ladies at gun point. Informal Prostitution is when the girl you have just met asks you for money for her ailing mother and to replace the blackberry cell phone that was stolen... in exchange for a little bit of fun. LOL. But seriously, what the hell is going on with that? Why is there almost always an absent father? Why do they seem to always have half siblings? Every young lady has an ailing mother or lost blackberry cell phone, at the same time. Hummm!

good job concatchero! I think that forest hill might be related to jimmyh

concatchero, add abc200 to your list lol

yes we are still a third world country in many ways and I think it is best to remember that and not judge the Dr along side countries that have been developed for generations . the DR will be a country that will only slowly develop and so it is useless for people to want it to change overnight ,
Having said that I am sure that it would be very easy to put big rubbish tins all around the country and to encourage people not to litter

Concatchero, yea side step the facts. You people live in the 18th century. That picture revolts me as it should you.

But you won't comment on that. You want to do the Dominican "It's someone else problem." and "Don't point it out to us, we don't want to know".

The only thing that scares people off this site, is the stupidity you display by not doing something about the garbage.

There's an easy solution to the garbage problem at guibia and other coastal areas.
Simply hire people to work permanently in these areas. 5 days/week. Provide them with thrash cans and bags. Have a truck come once a week to pick it up. That's it!

And where will the money come from? Hotels, businesses, and residents along the Malecon will divert some of the tax money due to the city for that purpose.
When the sindico starts screaming bloody murder, take his office to court and fight them legally.

The same can be done around the zona colonial and throughout the nation. No fuss, no muss!

Best place to be in is el Cibao

I was also at the clean up a few weeks ago and yes the beach is back to the way it was before we cleaned it.
"best to remember that and not judge the Dr along side countries that have been developed for generations"
I'm sorry was this not the first country colonized in the "NEW WORLD" how much longer will it take before we our S@#t together?
Just a couple of thing to note.. 1. at the clean up of the beach, I did note to myself and those around, that there was not one Garbage bin to be seen!
2. The need to ban styrofoam containers, put a return deposit on glass, plastic bottles and ally cans.
As 90% of all the crap on the beach was styrofoam containers, presidente bottle and coke bottles.
Oh and sorry. TEACH OUR KIDS AND ADULTS TO USE A BIN AND NOT JUST LEAVE IT ON THE GROUND!!!!!!

Mr.Ron Evane has the right idea. A simple way of rewarding to the city and people of Santo Domingo. Dominican people needs jobs, why not pay them to clean-up there own city. Not sure where the money would come from, but something needs to happen before the country's Tourist Image goes down the toilet

Ricardolito, quit the spin doctor crap.

What you do not know is that you are saying "Not only are we mindless pigs, but we are not smart enough to look around us and say, we shouldn't make our own country paradise a pig sty. "

And what else would the rest of the world think of Dominicans when they see this? "Oh it must be the tourists." NO, take responsibility for your actions and DO SOMETHING !

The trash is a direct reflection of LACK OF EDUCATION, nobody has ever taught Dominicans or had a public program or promotions to discourage this ( I realize they should know it's wrong but.....) Remember the commercial in the US with the Indian and the tear rolling down his face? That was the beginning our our public outcry, before then many were ignorant as they are in the DR. When your father/mother does it and your grandfather/grandmother did it, and all your neighbors do it, of course you think it's OK.

I agree with Stillhere. Besides how many generations will it take to move DR forward? The uppercrust will always be on the look out to make sure that the corruption stays along with those in power and those in the bottom. Honesty is a word almost unknown in DR. its a pity. When one try to make things right, there will be 2 or 3 others that will try to mess things up again and bring the old crap back again.

bayman46,
Where should the money come from to pay people to clean up?
Simple.
Fines imposed on those caught littering!

Those dropping the litter are not the only villains.
The likes of Coca Cola have increased their huge margin by changing from glass bottles (with a deposit attached, and the cost of returning them to the depot then the factory, cleaning and sterilizing) to PET that just gets dumped in the environment.
If the government was serious they would ban PET, or put a substantial bounty on PET to ensure it is returned and re-cycled.
The other problem is, many Dominicans mistakenly believe that eating take-away is a sign of modern, western opulence - as if cooking and washing dishes is for primitive peasants.

How many generations do we need to get our act together?

Until we get a leadership with the balls that does the right thing, it won't happen. Look at Latin America as a whole... is all a piece of sh^t. What a wonderful heritage the Spaniards, French and Portuguese left on the Americas, the inability for goverments to look for well being of their people.

The difference is that the inital Spanish, French and Portuguese and settlers came to the Americas to get rich by any means. The men that came were the outcasts and criminals that nobody wanted, while the inital English settlers came to run away from religious persecution. Two very different starting foundations

The one true sucess in Latin America when it comes to people's well being is Chile (thanks to Pinochet). Argentina has taken steps backwards, Mexico has continusouly ignored the native population and the slumps in Brazil are too out of hand for things to be fixed soon... and I do not need to make a comment on Haiti.

.. cont

Domincan would have been in a similar position to Chile if it wasn't that our Dictator (Trujillo) was a power hungry, paranoid, greedy son of a b^tch.

@ Lovingit... The English settlers were also scumbags, racist as hell and a product of the age of ignorance; traumatized by their King and by all of the witch hunting, witch burning and frying in hot tar... So what did they do in North America? They did their best to exterminate our ancestors, the indigenous population. I am happy to be talking about this right now by some devine miracle the intervened. When a black or a brown dove can also be considered a symbol of peace, then I will begin to think that we have evolved. There exists all kinds of trash out there that nobody notices. Let's try to clean it up. With more self-pride comes more concern for our environment! :)

It will always come down to two things, 1. The People 2. The Goverment. Number 1 controlls number 2, not sure how true that is in the DR, But it always starts with PEOPLE being good and doing the right thing!

Every country has its own problems and ours is definitely the refusal of the people here to keep the environment clean ,,be it is the streets outside homes or on the roads between towns or on the beaches or even in cinemas, there is no tradition of keeping the country in a clean condition .
I do not know if the answer is with a carrot or a whip but I think it would be wonderful for all, to have a much cleaner country

"Dominican would have been in a similar position to Chile if it wasn't that our Dictator (Trujillo) was a power hungry, paranoid, greedy son of a b^tch."

Trujillo ONLY? Really? I doubt it. What about the Dominican elite and politicians that took power after that? After 50 years without Trujillo, we still have many "trujillitos" living very well off Dominican taxpayer, and very well indeed!!!

Miller,
You are always so crirical of everything Dominican and an insult to the USA.
I love your country but I hate your type! You give the USA a bad name and insult others that do not fit within your narrow-minded view of the world.
I think that you should find another site and just go be an idiot somewhere else, but if you want to discuss and debate without insulting Dominicans then tell us what you would do and how?

To expect instant results in a new democracy is stupid from someone that lives in a country that only a few decades ago was as dirty, as corrupt, and as backwards as a third world country.
It was not so long ago that you red necks were doing your oil changes in the street storm drains, dumping garbage in your lakes and chemicals in your rivers.

MTF

Democracy is not an instant deal. With time, people vote to change things; school programs change to include teaching the young environmental protection and civic duties.
No the DR is not perfect. But most are honest hard working people for whom friendship is sacred. Politicians are vultures but the people do like we do; they vote for the lesser evil.
It all takes time and patience and Dominicans have lots of time and patience.
As for me, I am an expat and every chance I get, I tell my DR friends that after the resources are gone, what they see is what they get, and that they need to protect their heritage now. The word gets around and next time they vote they are the ones that will chose their path. Not you, nor I.

RonEvane: Thank you for your level-headed look at the issue. Good suggestion because I was thinking the same thing.... At least you do not look at blame but solutions and I am getting tired of idiots. People here will chose.

I looked at the picture more closely...
Living here, I know that 90% of this garbage washes-up on shore from the sea.
It is mostly FN plastic.
The worst invention man ever made.
The shipping lanes are full of boats from rich people and big shipping companies trowing their garbage to sea and one day you clean it all up to come back the next and it is all full again.
I've seen the rich that can afford to drive to Samana's remote beaches, have huge family parties and leaving all their crap behind, including empty bottles, spoilled food, and dirty diapers.
Had there been signage and dumpsters, fines for offenders, this could be prevented. But the rich can afford to go to another beach anywhere... Why should the poor clean-up?
This problem goes beyond economics and is a cultural problem. Attitudes need to be changed and we should start in the schools. Nothing beats "Johnie boy" putting his dad to shame for polluting!

Miller:

I did express my "two cents' worth" and while you brought-up the subject of taking the garbage out....
You should be next for your constant bashing of Dominicans.
"You Dominicans this and that" It is quite enough! Get out if you can't be objective and in the "18th" century you would have been stretched and quartered for your comments.
You and Harrington are cut from the same cloth.... You are ASSES!

Nothing beats "Johnie boy" putting his dad to shame for polluting!

Yes this works in most countries.. kids making adults feel stupid for very simple ideas.. put it in the bin.
A campaign was done with this idea for bad driving and putting rubbish in bins in Australia. and it worked very well.
Australia also have a tidy towns campaign to reward towns that have clean communities and streets.

The Colonial Zone certainly has fewer problems than other areas of the city. However the tourist and foreign investors in the Zone have had many, many, problems there. The police who are supposed to protect the tourist are the very people they need protecting from. Buy a house in the Zone or do any construction. Whether or not you have the permit, you will have hell to deal with. The Zone is not safe, day or night. If it were not for foreign dollars (USA), there would not even be a Zone. It would be a place of just old broken down buildings. The Government knows this, and keeps it just so. By doing so, they can keep borrowing money claiming to be fixing the Zone. When in fact, it’s the Foreigners who are fixing this place up and the Government takes all the credit, for something they had nothing to do with. The only thing the Government does in the Zone, is hustle the Foreigners and create problems for them. Ask yourself what is there to do in the Zone? Independence Park, painted

battleship grey, few plants, little shade, can’t eat in there, no water in the moats, it’s their national park not just a park,. Oh… Hard Rock café. There is nothing to do in the Zone. The Foreigners inch by inch are fixing the Zone, and not the Government.

@Concatchero.(quote).
"this problem goes beyond economics and is a cultural problem. Attitudes need to change and this should start in school. Nothing beats; "Johnny boy" putting his dad to shame for polluting"!

I have lived in the US long enough to have seem the change in the polluted years of the 60's to what it is today. I clearly remember being in "civics" class being told not to be a "litter bug". I was told to put "litter in it's place". So I did......... And I have, ever since.

So, you're absolute right. Teach them early, and they'll commit to that mind-set, for life!

Australia has lovely clean beaches.why do gringos live in DR? Because they can get young girls to bash rape insult control

Penny:
Get real! Not all men are like that. I do rotation work here for an Engineering company on a large project, and girls are not my gig. I have never paid for sex and never will... They should pay me!
There is a lot of sex trade here and it is indeed a problem in these countries because of the drug trade, corruption, lax laws, and the liberal attitude towards sex,
I am totally against this kind of behavior, but sex tourism is a reality here, similar as in Thailand.
Can't tell you how many times I have been propositionned by people, taxi drivers and pimps, just because of my skin color. Just like you, they paint all white males with the same stupid brush.

Thank you Concatchero,
It seem far to Dominicans to type cast all white males as only here "Because they can get young girls to bash rape insult control" Penny are you an Australian living in DR or from DR living in Australia? either way I think you need to retract you comment and pull you head in before you get typecast as an ignorant woman.
It would be like me saying all foreign girls are here because they are to fat and ugly to get man in there home land and have to pay for a"BOYFRIEND" here!!!!!!!
But I wouldn't say it because that would be just a stupid, wrong and incorrect.......

Now I'm sorry if I contributed in taking this good thread off topic, lets keep the constructive conversation going ........

There are always people who are quick to complain but I rarely see people doing anything about the garbage issue. You have to start small. Programs in the schools is a good start, teaching the children first the effects of littering. It's not going to change overnight. I have found when I go to places where people have been partying (usually around the river) and I start cleaning up people usually pitch in.

Kloco... Great attitude!

Please remove llp27r as a pest to this site????????

stillhere,
Just click "report as spam" whenever you see the likes of llp27r and thew will be removed - eventually.

lovingit,

So Dominicans trash their own country because of Trujillo 50 years ago, and the greedy Spanish colonists 500 years ago? Americans don’t trash America because they were colonised by English Pilgrims escaping religious persecution?
Ha ha ha!

Before the American War of Independence, many American settlers were transported English convicts. After the war they send them to Australia, also colonised by nasty whalers and sealers, Irish outlaws and greedy gold-rush diggers. Yet Australians by-and-large do not rubbish their beaches, rivers, forests or streets.

Many Dominicans do. Why? Maybe it is good-old Christian (lack of) values? Haiti is even more religious and environmentally ravaged (not to mention the violence, racism, ignorance oppression and corruption that is usually associated with deistic religions like Christianity and Islam).

@Roy

And there you go again comparing Australia to DR...

Australia is over 100 times larger than the combined Island of Santo Domingo yet, the combined populations are almost the same. Australia has vast natural resources that it could properly distribute to the population because of the abundance. Your relative new country benefited that colonialism lasted until your colonists had more reason because of the changing world and thus you had a better example to follow. Your colonists made Australia their home, very few actually returned back to their motherlands, especially because of the long voyage, nor they needed to go elsewhere to find riches at other locations because Australia already had plenty of resources...

...

... cont

Colonist raped the DR and came and went as pleased and took their riches back to the relative close Europe. They had little regard for anything. Mainly the uneducated poor remained. The DR was in political turmoil from the moment it became independent, thus, a good infrastructure was never in place. The richer or just "better off" elites that remained mainly raped the poor and kept them dumb and uneducated so that they could keep them in servitude till this date.

This is what Dominicans have learned.

I will now give the answer to all your questions and the real reason why, we Dominicans, are what we are, and do what we do. Ready?.. It's called: "CULTURAL AFFINITY". Which means: Identity, similarity, inclination, mind-set, predilection, predisposition, propensity and readiness to act out in a ruthless OR civilized way, borne out of our heritage. Depending on your particular degree of a formal education and wisdom, the message here brought across, can be interpreted as truism or bigoted. But, the truth of the matter is, that racial and cultural affinities do play a big part on how we react and conduct ourselves as individuals and as a group or as a nation. Case in point: The nations of Honduras and Haiti are predominantly racially homogeneous. The extraneous influences of other races are practically negligible. Therefore, differential views from culturally diverse groups are absent to the detrimental of the country as a whole. If it were not for the racial minority in DR, we'd be sh

A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.
Mohandas Gandhi

For kloco
" I have found when I go to places where people have been partying (usually around the river) and I start cleaning up people usually pitch in. "

A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave.
Mohandas Gandhi

@lovingit,
Yes, you have made some valid points. Slavery was falling out of favor by the time Australia was being colonized. Also the more brutal Spanish and Portuguese were not in interested in Australia, and initially the English where only interested to beat the French to it, and for somewhere to dump convicts. The English colonists may have not been politically correct by today's standards, but compared to other colonists at the time they were very humane, hence the survival of American Indians, Indian Indians and Australian Aborigines. Had Hispaniola been colonized by the English, the Tahinos would have survived and thrived, there would never have been a Trujillo Era, and Haiti would not be a basket-case.

Roy/Ron,
FYI, I am Canadian, so same as you... no BS.
Concentrate on what we have in common................. Great BEER! That is why I love this place.... Yes, I recycle my bottles!
Screw the Monarchies that sent our ancestors here, we are FREE, and the rest is GRAVY!
Lmao
Cheers!

Hey! I'll drink to that, Concatchero! Great beer, great climate! and sexy young ladies that Penny would frown on! Eh?
Thanks for recycling!

lmao!